Is all the UNESCO´s Qhapaq Ñan really Inca? Problems with the incorporation of sections and sites from San Juan (Argentina)

Not all sections and sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean Road System, are definitively of Inca origin. This study highlights discrepancies between the road system identified in San Juan, Argentina, and the version accepted by UNESCO, revealing that some incorporated elements lack conclusive evidence supporting their Inca character. The research also uncovers a failed prior attempt to include historical sites within the project, shedding light on the complexities and political influences shaping the nomination process. By analyzing documentation and stakeholder actions, the study exposes shortcomings in the centralized coordination system and raises questions about the integrity of the heritage designation.

Garcıa, A. (2024). Is all the UNESCO´s Qhapaq Ñan really Inca? Problems with the incorporation of sections and sites from San Juan (Argentina). Cultural Heritage and Science, 5(1), 12–23. https://doi.org/10.58598/cuhes.1415472